Newark company ordered to hire back whistleblower worker

Federal officials ordered a Newark company to hire back a worker who was fired after complaining that his company truck was unsafe to drive, according to a statement today by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA.

The worker at Jersey Window Factory & Building Supply told the employer about about broken mirrors on a truck, problems with its steering system and a problematic driver’s side door, OSHA reported.

The employee’s hours were cut, and after the driver filed a complaint with OSHA, the employee was fired in July 2008, according to the statement. OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program investigated.

The company didn’t respond to a request for comment today.

"Workers have the right to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation or termination," said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in a statement. "Employers found in violation of whistleblower protection provisions will be held accountable."

OSHA told Jersey Window Factory & Building Supply to hire the worker back. The company must also pay the worker $18,000 in compensatory damages, along with back wages and bonuses for the period between the date of firing and whenever the company hires the driver back.

The company could still appeal the decision–it has 30 days to file an appeal with the Labor Department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges.